A Tesla transformer is a high-voltage resonant device operating at high frequencies. The design of the unit is relatively simple. Such devices demonstrate discharges of electricity that look beautiful in the dark. Tesla type transformers emit real lightning. Therefore, its use is reduced to decorative functions. Everyone is interested in learning about the features of this miracle device.
History of invention
The Tesla resonant transformer appeared as a result of many years of work by the scientist and experimenter N. Tesla. He sought to find a way to transmit electricity over long distances without wires. In 1891, the inventor demonstrated visual experiments carried out in this direction.
The practical application of his works (according to the scientist himself) was to provide light to any building, private home and other objects through high voltage and frequency current. The scientist revealed the features of obtaining, using such currents, and using them for power supply.
Gradually, the scientist began to think about using an open method to transmit electricity over long distances. The researcher spent several years developing the theory. The scientist conducted many experiments and completed every element of the scheme. The experimenter worked on the creation of breakers, circuit controllers, and high-voltage resistant capacitors. The researcher never brought the plan to life on the scale on which it was originally conceived.
However, every patent, article, and lecture of his was preserved. You can reread them today and think about them. For example, patent No. 649621 and No. 787412 are presented on the Internet. Documents are made publicly available to the general public. Videos of the unit in action can easily be found online.
The basic principle discovered by the great inventor is now used for the manufacture of fluorescent illuminators.
Generation
Well, the last thing that is worth looking at in more detail is the process of generating high-frequency current itself. So, the Tesla transformer is powered by the selected power source, which transfers the charge to the capacitor, where it accumulates until a breakdown occurs, as a result of which the capacitor is discharged through the spark gap to the primary coil. Since the voltage of the spark gap decreases sharply, the circuit is closed, and, as mentioned above, the power source is excluded from the circuit. At this time, high-frequency oscillations occur in the primary coil, which are then transmitted to the secondary coil, due to which the oscillations become resonant and a high voltage current is generated at the terminal. This is how the simplest Tesla transformer works, but there are a large number of different modifications of it.
Diagram and main components
To understand how the Tesla transformer works, it is necessary to consider its structure. The circuit includes two windings - secondary and primary. The contours are made of copper wire with a thickness of 0.1-0.2 mm².
Alternating current is supplied to the primary winding. This produces a magnetic field that transfers electricity from the first to the second coil. At this point, the secondary winding will produce an oscillating type circuit. The winding will accumulate the received electricity. The load will be stored here as a certain voltage for some time.
The Tesla resonant transformer circuit can have different coil structures. The contours have similar features. Toroidal varieties of Tesla coils are shown in the photo.
The transformer designed by Nikola Tesla contains a toroid. The element performs three main functions:
- Promotes the accumulation of electricity before the streamer is received. Large dimensions allow the toroid to accommodate a significant amount of energy. The device often uses a breaker.
- Reduces resonant frequency.
- Forms an electrostatic field that repels the streamer. In some types of designs, this function is performed by a secondary coil.
For such devices, it is important to maintain the correct ratio between the diameter and length of the secondary coil. The proportion should be 1:4. The protective ring of the circuit prevents the electronics from malfunctioning. The part looks like a special ring made of copper.
For the Tesla transformer to operate properly, the protective ring must be grounded. The streamers short-circuit the current by hitting the ground. If the circuit is reliable, lightning strikes the unit directly.
A small resistance is detected in the primary winding. This ensures reliable power transmission in practice. The connection point is characterized by high mobility. This allows you to change the resonant frequency. Understanding the relationship of the presented elements, it will be possible to understand the principle of operation of the Tesla transformer.
What's the point?
First, we need to explain the essence of how a Tesla coil works. She may look different, but many people note that, one way or another, she looks very impressive even in calm mode. What can we say about when it is activated, and visible discharges of electricity are formed around it. But how exactly does this happen? The Tesla transformer works due to resonant electromagnetic waves generated in two windings of the coil, primary and secondary. The primary winding is part of the spark oscillatory center. As for the secondary, its role is played by a straight coil of wire. When the oscillation frequency of the primary and secondary circuits coincides, a high alternating voltage appears between the ends of the coil, which you can see with the naked eye. If you don’t really understand how the Tesla transformer works, then you can take an ordinary swing as an example. With their help, it will be much easier to explain the work. If you swing a swing using forced vibrations, then the amplitude will be proportional to your effort. If you decide to swing the swing in free oscillation mode, each time pushing the swing at the right moment, the amplitude will increase several times. The same thing happens with a Tesla coil: when the oscillations of the two windings resonate, a much stronger current arises.
Principle of operation
The Tesla capacitive transformer is characterized by a certain operating principle. It charges the capacitor using an inductor. The lower the inductance level, the faster charging will occur. After some time, its voltage readings increase significantly. An arc will appear in the arrester. She will be a good guide.
Capacitive devices need to provide battery charging from a high-voltage battery. Regular batteries are not suitable for this. The primary circuit is powered in various ways. This could be a static spark gap connected to a high voltage device from a microwave heater. Transistor circuits on programmable controllers are also used for these purposes.
A working apparatus with a combination of a coil and a capacitor is characterized by a good circuit. Due to the resulting load, vibrations occur. At this moment, energy exchange will occur in the capacitor and coil. Its first part will disappear in the form of heat rays. The second part of the electricity will appear in the spark gap. The inductance will contribute to the formation of another circuit. The frequency of all components must be the same.
The first circuit transmits its load. The amplitude of the oscillations will be zero. This process does not end with the exchange of energy. After the arc disappears, the residual energy can be trapped. The whole process can be repeated. With a strong connection, the rate of energy exchange will be high.
Some fans of the creative ideas of the great inventor claim that the efficiency of the Tesla capacitive transformer is more than 100%. However, it is not. The efficiency that characterizes this device is subject to the laws of conservation of energy. Therefore, such a statement has no basis.
Structural diagram of the device
It is impossible to understand the principle of operation of this device without studying its structure. Structurally, the transformer circuit consists of primary and secondary windings. For their contours, copper wire with a cross section of 0.1-0.2 mm2 is used. In some cases, you can use a transistor circuit.
The primary winding is connected to an alternating current source, which results in the formation of a magnetic field. Through this field, electric current is transmitted from the first coil to the second. At the same time, an oscillatory circuit is created by the secondary winding. It also accumulates incoming electricity and stores it here in the form of a certain voltage value. In different circuits of resonant transformers, the coils may differ in design. However, the contours they create are similar to each other in all respects.
One of the elements of the Tesla transformer is a toroid. It is under its influence that electricity accumulates. The amount of electricity contained in a toroid directly depends on its size. The device is configured accordingly. In addition, this device helps reduce the resonant frequency and create an electrostatic field that repels lightning strikes. In some designs, this function is assigned to the secondary coil.
The parameters of the secondary coil are of great importance. For example, the ratio of diameter to length is 1:4.
Another important detail is presented in the form of a special copper ring that protects the electronics from failure. In order for the Tesla transformer to work correctly, the protective ring must be grounded. When lightning strikes the ground, an electrical current is shorted. Due to the low resistance of the primary winding, electricity transmission is ensured. Thus, for the device to operate normally, all its elements must interact with each other.
Application
In addition to the decorative use of the presented device, there are also practical benefits from its operation. Corona discharge charges the air with ozone. This refreshes the atmosphere in the room. However, you should not allow prolonged exposure to the device. High ozone content leads to poor health.
Also, the use of the presented device allows you to reanimate the operation of a failed fluorescent lamp. If you bring the device closer to the lighting fixture, the latter will function again. However, you should not bring mobile devices close to the emitter. This may damage the gadget.
This is a unique, not fully explored invention. Its use must be done with caution. The simplicity of the design allows you to assemble the device yourself.
Operating principle
The Tesla resonant transformer was invented on the basis of resonant standing electromagnetic waves appearing in the turns of a coil. It consists of a primary winding, which contains a small number of turns, as well as a capacitor and a spark gap. Thus, forming an element of a spark oscillatory circuit. The secondary coil is simply made of straight wire. If the oscillation frequency of the primary winding circuit coincides with the frequency of the standing waves of the secondary, then as a result of this resonance an electromagnetic standing wave arises, and therefore a high-value alternating voltage arises between the outputs of the coil.
The essence of its work can be compared to an ordinary children's swing. If you swing them to their maximum value while constantly holding them with your hand, then the amplitude they achieve will be directly proportional to the force that is proposed. And if you swing the swing only with movements in the direction of the swing, then much less effort will be applied, and the amplitude will increase. So is a resonant transformer. The swing is a secondary circuit, and in the role of the person swinging it is a generator assembled in the primary winding, giving a discharge only at certain moments.
Terminal
This element can be installed in different designs in a Tesla resonant transformer. The terminal may be a sphere, a sharpened pin, or a disk. It is designed to produce predictable spark discharges with a long length. Thus, two connected oscillatory circuits form a Tesla transformer.
Energy from the ether is one of the purposes of the device’s functioning. The inventor of the device sought to achieve a wave number Z of 377 Ohms. He made increasingly larger reels. Normal (full) operation of the Tesla transformer is ensured when both circuits are tuned to the same frequency. As a rule, during the adjustment process, the primary is adjusted to the secondary. This is achieved by changing the capacitance of the capacitor. The number of turns of the primary winding also changes until the maximum voltage appears at the output.
In the future, it is planned to create a simple Tesla transformer. Energy from the ether will work for humanity to the fullest.
